Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Education to detail any steps he is taking to improve education on the dangers and impact of sexism and misogyny.
Minister of Education: Promoting respectful relationships and addressing harmful attitudes remains an important priority across the education system and supports the Executive’s wider work to prevent violence against women and girls. Schools are supported through safeguarding arrangements, curriculum provision, pastoral care, and access to specialist expertise, including advice and guidance from the Education Authority’s Child Protection Support Service on safeguarding matters and harmful behaviours.
My Department is also leading Action 6 of the Executive’s Second Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Delivery Plan and is working jointly with The Executive Office to develop a Healthy Relationships Action Plan. This work will strengthen efforts to promote respectful relationships and challenge harmful behaviours among children and young people. The Plan will be brought forward for my consideration in the coming months.
In addition, proposals within the curriculum reform programme for a new Personal, Social, Civic and Careers (PSCC) framework includes learning relating to challenging harmful stereotypes, understanding discrimination, respecting boundaries, developing positive relationships and promoting equality and inclusion. These proposals are intended to help equip children and young people with the knowledge and understanding required to build respectful relationships and challenge harmful attitudes, including sexism and misogyny.
Consultation on the proposals for Curriculum 2028 remains open until 30 September.
ENDS
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